What examples show grievance-based conflicts in recent history?

Examples of grievance-based conflicts in recent history include the Syrian Civil War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, is a prime example of a grievance-based conflict. The conflict was sparked by widespread discontent with the government of President Bashar al-Assad, particularly his regime's failure to implement political reforms and its brutal suppression of peaceful protests. The conflict has since evolved into a complex, multi-sided war involving numerous factions, including the Syrian government, rebel groups, Islamist extremists, and foreign powers. The grievances that fuelled the conflict, such as political repression, economic inequality, and sectarian tensions, remain unresolved and continue to drive the violence.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is another example of a grievance-based conflict. This conflict is rooted in a long history of political, religious, and territorial disputes between Israelis and Palestinians. Key grievances include the displacement of Palestinians during the creation of Israel in 1948, the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the lack of a sovereign Palestinian state. Despite numerous peace initiatives, these grievances have not been adequately addressed, leading to recurring cycles of violence and instability.

The Rohingya crisis in Myanmar is a further example of a grievance-based conflict. The Rohingya, a Muslim minority group in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, have faced systematic discrimination and violence from the Myanmar government and Buddhist nationalists. Grievances include the denial of citizenship rights to the Rohingya, restrictions on their freedom of movement, and the use of violence, including mass killings and sexual violence. The crisis escalated in 2017 when a brutal military crackdown forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh, creating one of the world's largest refugee crises.

In each of these conflicts, grievances – whether political, economic, religious, or ethnic – have played a central role in driving the violence. These conflicts illustrate the complex and multifaceted nature of grievance-based conflicts, as well as the challenges involved in resolving them.